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Having your work constantly examined under a microscope is bad enough, but when your micromanaging boss is also inconsistent, you may feel as if all of your actions are doomed to failure. Your supervisor may not even be aware of his nitpicking and incoherent behavior, which can make it even more difficult to communicate with him. Bosses such as this can lead to a stressful work environment, where you feel that your future career is in jeopardy. Though you probably do not have much say over whom you work with, you may be able to control how you deal with an inconsistent and micromanaging boss.

1.

Act on your own job responsibilities and complete the work that you were hired to do. First and foremost, you will need to protect your professional reputation and show that you are able to properly do your job. Avoid allowing your boss’s nitpicking or inconsistencies to negatively impact you. If you become entangled in his contradictory ways, you may be viewed as indecisive or possibly even inconsistent yourself.

2.

Create systems to streamline work as much as possible. When everything is done in a particular way or order, there is little room for your boss to interfere with his difficult behavior. For example, develop a process so that all invoices are organized, approved and paid every Friday.

3.

Ask your boss for guidance on how to work with him. If he is aware of his inconsistencies, then there may be a pattern to his thought processes that you have not noticed. By having him explain how he thinks, you will likely be able to adjust your expectations and work methods to match his behavior. Alternatively, the discussion can possibly open a clear path of communication for the boss whois unaware of his contradictions.

4.

Communicate with your boss in an assertive yet still respectful manner. Clear and confident communications can help to mitigate any misunderstandings that arise from her behavior. By possessing a confident attitude, you may also be able to work with more independence, which means less time interacting with your boss.

5.

Look for a new position, either within or outside of the company. There are times when there is no solution except to leave. Inquire with human resources about any other possible openings within the company. Otherwise, begin to apply to jobs at other organizations. When interviewing for a new position, be sure to ask about the management style of your supervisor to avoid repeating the same situation.

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About the Author

Beth Rifkin has been writing health- and fitness-related articles since 2005. Her bylines include "Tennis Life," "Ms. Fitness," "Triathlon Magazine," "Inside Tennis" and others. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University.